**Please note - any checks received will not be deposited until January 2, 2015.**

Looking for the Best Maryland CSA Program? Look No Further Than Brad's Produce!

We've always believed that fresh produce is the healthiest and smartest way to feed any family. That's why we started one of the first community supported agriculture (CSA) programs in northeastern Maryland, and why it's grown to feed so many Maryland families since. There's nothing better than fresh-picked Maryland tomatoes, corn, and other vegetables and fruits, picked right at the height of the season - all season long!

About our Northern Maryland CSA

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is a means of purchasing fresh food directly from a local farm. The consumer buys a share of the farm's products prior to the growing season. In turn, the shareholder receives weekly distributions of produce as the season progresses. Fresh, safe food is becoming a scarcity in our lives. The majority of produce in today's grocery store has traveled on an average of 1300 miles from its source and is several days old before reaching the store shelf. This is one of many hidden costs in today's food system. Buying locally ensures you of fresh food; it ensures the viability of local farms, preservation of open space and keeps purchasing power in the local economy.

This year Brad's Produce is continuing with our own CSA. You, as a consumer, have the opportunity to purchase a share in the produce that is grown on our farm for the season. We grow a wide variety of approximately 50 different kinds of fruits and vegetables harvested from May through October (There is a complete list of produce and the approximate months they will be available on the product availability page). Members will receive a variety of produce harvested at its peak of ripeness, flavor, vitamins and mineral content. You will be able to pick up your share at our farm in Churchville. After you have chosen your share option and we have received your payment you will be notified of when the first pick up will be. All shares are harvested, processed and packed as close to the pick up dates as possible.

After someone has chosen the right share size for them and we have received their first payment they will be on our email list. All major events are posted to all shareholders through email unless one doesn't have email. For more information, see our CSA Frequently Asked Questions below.

Add-on options for 2015

We will be offering "add-ons" to our produce CSA for the fourth year. You will have the option of adding an egg CSA and a bread CSA. Both of these products come directly to us from local farms and a bakery. Join now to reduce your food miles even more!

The eggs are raised by our trusted Amish friends and business partners who have farms in southern Lancaster County. They are antibiotic-and hormone-free and guaranteed to be good. Once you've eaten their fresh eggs, you'll never go back to grocery store eggs again!

The bread comes to us from American Hearth Bakery located on Wilso Avenue in Baltimore. It's baked fresh each day and delivered to us before sunrise each morning. This bread is made with all natural ingredients, no preservatives. It's packaged in one pound loaves and pre-sliced for your convenience. You will have a choice of White, Whole Wheat, Honey Oat, Sunflower, or Cinnamon Raisin. Each variety will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The egg and bread shares are limited so register early!

Here are reviews from some of our CSA customers:

Marian writes "We had talked about joining a CSA off and on during the year, so when the time came, my spouse agreed to try it if I wanted to. I love fresh fruit and veggies; he loves food. Everything we got in our share was fresh and delicious and the presentation was gorgeous. We soon came to eagerly anticipate the next pick up date and we were never disappointed. The staff is friendly and helpful; so were our fellow customers. Going to Brad's on pickup day was like a little celebration during the week. We also bought extra produce while we were there and particularly enjoyed the lettuces, strawberries, spring onions. OH THE CORN! The limas were a family favorite! The tomatoes were so good my husband ignored his too much acid rash."

Carla writes "I have been a customer of Brad's Produce for many years. When Brad and Karin started the CSA program, they only made a great thing better. I have really enjoyed the weekly shares of fresh fruits and vegetables -- always high quality product, always well displayed, always a good variety of items. I try to use as many in-season fresh fruits and vegetables as possible, so being a part of Brads's CSA has made that very easy to do. I have had very good success freezing and canning Brad's fruits and vegetables to enjoy during the late fall and winter. I have also been very pleased with the canned items made by nearby Amish farmers using Brad's produce.--the spaghetti sauce, salsa and strawberry jam are the best. Oh - and let me not forget to mention the very friendly and helpful staff- they are a joy to deal with too. I have the best of all words. I get to enjoy good, local produce as well as know the farmer that grew it."

Jeanne writes "We love Brad's Produce. Brad and his staff are the most cooperative and accomodating business we have ever encountered. We are impressed with the variety and quality of his produce and highly recommend this farm."

Options for the 2015 Produce Harford County, MD CSA Season

Regular Season CSA

Runs for 24 weeks from May 14 to October 22, 2015

Receive a wide variety of produce from each growing season - spring, summer and fall

A full share is picked up every Thursday

A bi-weeklyshare is the same amount of produce as a full-share, but picked up every other Thursday

A weekly half-share is picked up every Tuesday with half the amount of produce as a full share each time.

The CSA FAQ:

Is Brad's Produce an organic farm?

At Brad's Produce we believe in using sustainable agriculture methods. We use an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) system. It is a way to monitor disease and insect levels so that we are only using the least harmful crop protectorates when necessary, not at random. We try to build our soils up and raise healthy plants so they can fight off disease and insects naturally. We also use cover cropping, nutrient management plans and soil conservation methods to raise our produce in an environmentally friendly way. We live on the farm and raise our children here so we use the least amount of anything possible in a safe manner.

Where did the idea of CSA come from?

CSA really got started in the mid-60’s in Japan. A group of Japanese women were concerned about pesticides, processed foods and diminishing local food sources. Sound familiar? As a group, they re-connected with local growers they could trust and the concept was born. They called it the Teikei movement, which translates to partnership or cooperation, but members, say it means “food with the farmer’s face on it”.

CSA came to the United States in 1986, when Jan Vandertuin brought the idea back from his travels in Switzerland. He and Robyn Van Eyn began their first CSA in Massachusetts. They told people they could “share the costs to share the harvest.”

The shares are picked up on Tuesdays between 10am and 6pm or Thursdays between 10am and 7pm at our farm in Churchville. A pick-up day will be assigned to you prior to the first pick-up.

What if I'm on vacation?

You can have a friend pick it up or we'll donate it to a local food bank

What do I do with the extra produce?

Please see the recipe blog on our website for seasonal recipes and freezing instructions. Also watch for announcements of our canning classes for spring, summer and fall produce.

What if I can't make it there on pick-up day?

We strongly recommend picking it up on your pick-up day or having someone pick it up for you. However, if you just can't make it one day, we'll hold your box until the next day if you call and let us know. It will still be the box that was prepared on the pick-up day though. Because of the time and labor involved every box is prepared on the morning of the pick-up day.

Where can you learn more about CSA?

Elizabeth Henderson, another pioneer in the CSA movement who is a leader in CSA farming today, wrote an excellent book about CSA called Sharing the Harvest. Robyn van Eyn contributed to the project but died suddenly in 1997 before completing the book.

How to join Brad's CSA

Registration for the 2015 season will open shortly. Limited shares will be available on a first come, first served basis.Click to download the registration form: